Cancer fundraising ride offers hope, help
‘I wanted to give back,’ says cyclist with brain tumour
While pedalling with thousands of cyclists covering more than 200 kilometres for the Ride to Conquer Cancer this weekend, Rob Thomson will be thinking of the loved ones he’s lost to cancer and those supporting him in his battle against it.
Thomson, 54, of North Vancouver, was diagnosed a year ago with a brain tumour — Stage 4 unmethylated glioblastoma — which can’t be treated in Canada.
On Saturday, along with his wife, Marianne Stowe-Thomson, and about 2,000 other riders, Thomson tackled the journey from Cloverdale to Redmond, Wash., to help raise money for the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s treatment and research.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised $85 million since its inception nine years ago, including $125,000 raised this year by Team Grey Matter, of which Thomson is captain.
Thomson said the foundation has been there for him and he believes in the work it does. “I wanted to give back,” he said. It is Thomson’s second time participating in the ride and Stowe-Thomson’s first, after she spent some time volunteering for it in the past.
The couple said the journey has been challenging but friends and family who came to support them have lifted their spirits, including their two children, ages 19 and 21.
Stowe-Thomson said she’s been worried her husband might have a seizure but said that with encouragement from a doctor friend riding along with them, she has felt more at ease.
Thomson said in addition to raising money for research and treatment, he believes the ride gives people hope.
He wants to help them survive by raising funding for novel treatments such as the U.S.based, private-trial treatment he is undergoing.
Thomson also rode for his mother, father-in-law and other loved ones he has lost to cancer — including a good friend whose death he learned of on Saturday morning.
“You want to help the other people who have still got a chance and hopefully make their lives better,” he said.
Sarah Roth, president and CEO of the B.C. Cancer Foundation, said the 2017 Ride To Conquer Cancer has raised $8.3 million so far.
Many riders Saturday were displaying photos of lost loved ones and some cancer survivors are flying yellow flags, she said. “It’s very moving,” she said. Every dollar raised stays in B.C., going directly to research and care for the roughly 77,000 people in the province living with cancer, Roth added.
“It’s in all of our interests to do what we can to support the cause,” she said.